How to survive

[Kevin L]

How cheery.

I tend to be dismissive of full-out nuclear war as a threat, but terrorist nations with 5 or 6 bombs smuggled in the country?

Yes.

I do believe there are some things not worth prepping for, such as a earthly collision with a black hole, or a hostile take-over by an alien civilization.

Full-scale nuclear war falls into this category.

Even so, I still have a gieger counter, particulate respirators, canned food, and potassium iodide tablets in case there are terrorists who want to see what happens when a nuke is detonated on American soil.

 

[Maverick]

My BOB reflects the idea that I might be come a long-term refugee.

I have a Katadyn water filter (with spare ceramic filter element) which, with careful, cautious use, could provide almost 30,000 gallons of drinkable water, and I have gold and silver coins for barter and bribery purposes.

Clothes can be scavenged from the dead, any cordage can be used for snares and traps, automobile tires make excellent sandals, and rats taste like chicken.

I rely more upon my skills than stuff.

If the stuff runs out, I will have to work harder...but I suspect that I'll live.

You're talking more or less an I.N.C.H. Bag not so much a B.O.B. I wouldn't call my self a refugee though, refugee's tend to follow the masses (too many people) stripping the path of resources in otherwords, the one's that follow the blacktop. Skills and knowledge are paramount and far more valuable than supplies and equipment.

 

[Kevin L]

Thank you for answering my post.

 

[WGregMiller]

And if I were going to worry about terrorists with nukes, I'd worry more about dirty bombs than anything....

 

[Silent Earth]

And if I were going to worry about terrorists with nukes, I'd worry more about dirty bombs than anything....

Exactly a pound of radioactive material wrapped round a chunk of C4 set off from a major city rooftop may not kill anyone, but the cleanup costs for a place like London or NYC would cost tens of millions to clean up.

 

[WGregMiller]

Exactly a pound of radioactive material wrapped round a chunk of C4 set off from a major city rooftop may not kill anyone, but the cleanup costs for a place like London or NYC would cost tens of millions to clean up.

And create an enormous scare, which is what they're meant to do....

 

[Silent Earth]

Economic chaos is assured.

 

[Gazrok]

Mine (get home bag) is more about tools, than supplies.
The supplies are MEANT to run out after 4 days.

As for water, plenty of sources, but yes, boiling is my option of choice, and I've got multiple fire sources that have more than enough uses (and always have my glasses).

As for food, kind of surrounded by it on my way home, as we have a lot of agricultural area there. As long as I was cool with catfish, that'd be an easy to catch meal too. Other small game is around though too.

Luckily, there is no challenging climate here. Winter is days at best. For the heat, simply find some shade.

I'm not worried about my personal survival. I'd go on sparse camping trips for a couple of weeks, as a kid, in Kodiak Alaska...so I can handle the harsh Floriday wilderness just fine, lol. But I do worry about getting my loved ones together, and then, living within a certain level of comfort, and civility.

 

[Brent S]

Mine (get home bag) is more about tools, than supplies.
The supplies are MEANT to run out after 4 days.

As for water, plenty of sources, but yes, boiling is my option of choice, and I've got multiple fire sources that have more than enough uses (and always have my glasses).

As for food, kind of surrounded by it on my way home, as we have a lot of agricultural area there. As long as I was cool with catfish, that'd be an easy to catch meal too. Other small game is around though too.

Luckily, there is no challenging climate here. Winter is days at best. For the heat, simply find some shade.

I'm not worried about my personal survival. I'd go on sparse camping trips for a couple of weeks, as a kid, in Kodiak Alaska...so I can handle the harsh Floriday wilderness just fine, lol. But I do worry about getting my loved ones together, and then, living within a certain level of comfort, and civility.

The last thing you mentioned caught my attention. That civility part. I imagine it would take a while for most Americans to get over being grumpy and complaining all the time after shtf.

 

[lonewolf]

I imagine it would take a while for most Americans to get over being grumpy and complaining all the time after shtf.

yeah, Brits too! at least the modern generation, being mollycoddled all the time they wont know what the heck hit them!

 

[Maverick]

Not even SHTF yet I've been told I'm grumpy...

 

[Gazrok]

The last thing you mentioned caught my attention. That civility part. I imagine it would take a while for most Americans to get over being grumpy and complaining all the time after shtf.

First, we'd have to have civility within our own group though. Not just the immediate family, but any friends and family who make their way to us, as well. Those invited know the drill, what would be expected, etc. I trust them enough to deliver on that at least. Mostly, we all just pull our own weight, to ensure resources for all, and defense for all, and everybody can safely sleep at night with a full stomach and a roof over their heads. Anything else is gravy....

 

[WGregMiller]

Not even SHTF yet I've been told I'm grumpy...

I'm with ya... if I were a roman, I'd be Grumpus Maximus... according to my wife.

 

[Brent S]

I'm with ya... if I were a roman, I'd be Grumpus Maximus... according to my wife.

My wife is Naggais Maximus! I really hope she dosent read this crap!

 

[WGregMiller]

Mine too, lol! But I didn't say that.....

 

[Gazrok]

I tend to be dismissive of full-out nuclear war as a threat, but terrorist nations with 5 or 6 bombs smuggled in the country?

Even full out nuclear war isn't the extinction level event we grew up thinking it to be. There are many reasons for this.

1. Today's nukes are smaller yield (by treaty) and designed to airburst for less fallout.

2. We do have a ballistic missile defense system, but I suspect this will still allow about 1/3 or more of the inbounds to hit. But, this does mean less of an area affected.

3. America is BIG...with a capital BIG... There will be many areas completely untouched by the radiation, even more that will only see high enough levels directly after the blast, and then be fine.

4. Most other nuclear nations face a huge dilemma, especially our chief worries, Russia and China. They had a completely different mindset than we did. Quantity over quality. So, they ended up with a ton of nukes, that are mostly rotting away. Whereas we've had the funds to maintain our focus on quality. This means that there will be far less functioning inbounds. Also, these nations know that the whole value of nukes is what folks THINK you can do. In these closed societies, it's much easier (and far cheaper) to put on an act of readiness, than it is to actually BE ready for waging such a war.

5. Unless you live near major targets, chances are, you could be fine. Nuking MacDill AFB in Tampa isn't likely to affect me in Plant City....(though if I'm working in St. Pete, I'm going to see the windows get blown out of my office building, and then have to take the LONG way home to get AROUND Tampa....lol.)

The real pisser is going to be the consequences. We'll lose the grid, most certainly. Continuity of government would still be there, but we'd likely see some quick action towards martial law. This could likely result in some crap that makes the nukes seem like a lesser threat, than how our government would act after such an event.

But, we'd still be here. Us and the roaches. (though the roaches may end up being 10' tall, who knows?) If THAT is the case, then I'm checking out, lol.

 

[tmttactical]

I liked the thread but man there are some real long time gaps.

 

[Brent S]

I liked the thread but man there are some real long time gaps.

Lots of these will get dropped and picked back up after a while. There’s lots of great info in many of the old threads.

 

[tmttactical]

Lots of these will get dropped and picked back up after a while. There’s lots of great info in many of the old threads.

I am trying to work my way through some of the old posting. I hope to learn what has been said before I ask folks to repeat themselves.

 

[mak270]

I am trying to work my way through some of the old posting. I hope to learn what has been said before I ask folks to repeat themselves.

as far as drinking water goes have you all forgotten about the DEW TRAP and how to make one. it was part of our marine corps survival training

 

[Warriorhealer22]

as far as drinking water goes have you all forgotten about the DEW TRAP and how to make one. it was part of our marine corps survival training

The dew trap is doable, but it is a small amount of water and good only for real emergency situations! Then you need more than one, especially if you are with a family group.

 

[mak270]

The dew trap is doable, but it is a small amount of water and good only for real emergency situations! Then you need more than one, especially if you are with a family group.

I think the area your in (what part of the country) and the size of the trap make a big difference

 

[Kevin L]

The transpiration still works rather well.

You put a clean pebble in a plastic bag, and tie the bag around some vegetation.

It only takes a few minutes to make, and is very effective. It won't work with desert plants like yucca or cactus, but will work with cottonwood trees, or any other broad leaf plant that isn't toxic.

 

[Kevin L]

I used transpiration stills to make distilled water in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew so that people could use it for contact lenses and for reconstituting baby formula.

 

[Brent S]

After reading this thread I am even more greatful for the three water sources here on my property. I have two streams, one is small and one is about twelve feet wide, and also a bored well. I prefer not to drink any surface water if possible but in a pinch would do so with filtering it.

 

[Kevin L]

After reading this thread I am even more greatful for the three water sources here on my property. I have two streams, one is small and one is about twelve feet wide, and also a bored well. I prefer not to drink any surface water if possible but in a pinch would do so with filtering it.

Brent, you could get the inflatable solar stills used in lifeboat survival kits.

If you get three or four, you'll have pure, distilled water no matter what.

You could have pure water from surface water in a cholera epidemic when there's ameobic disentary and untreated sewage with dead bodies in the water, and you'll be fine. Using it requires no effort, other than fill, wait, and drink.

 

[DrHenley]

Here is the Aquamate on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Aquamate-Solar-Emergency-Purification-Inflatable/dp/B004TOAELS